Methods, apparatuses, and systems for controlling interconnections between nodes using virtual nodes are described. A physical node—such as a router, bridge, switch, etc. —stores a virtual cost associated with a virtual link that links virtual nodes of the physical node. A first physical port and a second physical port of the physical node are designated as belonging to a first virtual node and a third physical port of the physical node is designated as belonging to the second virtual node. The first physical port is associated with a first network partition and the second physical port is associated with a second network partition. The physical node transmits a routing information packet that includes the virtual cost.